.OM 

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THE  WOMEN 

WHO  DID 

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623    South  Waba^h  Ave.  CHICAGO 


The  Women  Who  Did 


A  Dramatic  Entertainment  for  Women 
Historical  and  Patriotic 


BY 

MARY  WOLCOTT  GREEN,  A.  B. 

Regent,  Staten  Island  Chapter,  Daughters 
American  Revolution. 


CHICAGO 

T.  S.  DENISON  &  COMPANY 
PUBLISHERS 


THE  WOMEN  WHO  DID 


CHARACTERS. 

GIRL One  Who  Desires  to  See  the  Women  of  History 

GENIUS  OF  HISTORY 

SPIRIT  OF  MODERN  AMERICA An  Interrogation  Point 

JUDITH The  Jewish  Princess 

XANTIPPE The  Wife  of  Socrates 

ISABELLA Queen  of  Spain 

CORNELIA A  Roman  Matron 

MARY  WASHINGTON Mother  of  George  Washington 

MOLLY  PITCHER The  Heroine  of  Monmouth 

BETSEY  Ross Maker  of  the  Flag 

HANNAH   The  Quakeress 

QUEEN  ELIZABETH 

THE  INCA  PRINCESS 

EVANGELINE The  Maid  of  Arcadia 

MRS.    MURRAY 

Who  Entertained  the  British  so  that  Gen.  Putnam  Escaped 

JINGU A  Corean  Heroine 

POCAHONTAS 

DANCERS  FOR  THE  MINUET.. 


TIME  OF  PLAYING — About  One  Hour. 


COPYRIGHT,   1911,  BY  EBEN   H.    NORRIS. 
MADE  IN  U.  S.  A. 

2 


THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID. 


PROPERTIES. 

A  large  book  with  dark  cover  having  in  large  letters  of 
gold  the  words,  "History  of  the  World,"  and  some  design 
such  as  a  Swastica  ornament  on  the  cover.  A  screen  which 
may  be  turned  so  that  it  is  an  exact  replica  of  the  book.  A 
newspaper  which  is  rustled  just  before  the  appearance  of 
each  character  to  -represent  the  turning  of  leaves. 


COSTUMES. 

GIRL — A  white  dress  of  modern  style. 

GENIUS — Light  green  draperies  with  a  gold  crown  and 
girdle. 

SPIRIT  OF  MODERN  AMERICA — Blue  dress  with  white  col- 
lar and  red  sash  and  tie.  Large  white  interrogation  marks 
(of  paper  muslin)  should  trim  the  skirt  all  around  and 
small  ones  on  the  waist.  She  should  wear  two  small  Ameri- 
can flags  in  her  hair.  A  side  pocket  of  her  waist  holds  a 
small  blank  book  and  pencil,  with  which  she  keeps  taking 
notes. 

JUDITH — Red  skirt  and  broad  striped  sash  tied  in  front, 
loose  white  sleeveless  waist,  hair  flowing,  bound  with  chains. 
She  carries  a  jeweled  sword  whose  handle  may  be  made 
with  shaped  cardboard  and  bright  colored  paper. 

XANTIPPE — Greek  dress,  not  white. 

ISABELLA — Court  dress,  crown. 

CORNELIA — White  draperies  edged  with  purple,  large 
purple  edged  square  for  a  headdress,  held  in  place  by  a 
purple  band. 

MARY  WASHINGTON — Black  dress,  kerchief,  cap,  bag  of 
knitting  on  arm.  Bag  should  also  contain  a  little  old  hatchet. 

MOLLY  PITCHER — Tight  fitting  bodice,  linen  colored,  full 

2072795 


4  THE   WOMEN   WHO    DID. 

short  skirt,  blue  handkerchief  knotted  at  throat,  displaying 
neck ;  hair  drawn  tightly  back. 

BETSEY  Ross — Colonial  costume,  short  skirt,  buckles  on 
shoes. 

HANNAH,  THE  QUAKERESS — Plain  gray  bodice,  full  skirt, 
gray  bonnet,  white  next  to  face,  white  kerchief ;  carries  bag 
with  blue  knitted  stocking  leg  with  knitting  needles  in  it, 
and  a  ball  of  yarn. 

ELIZABETH — Court  dress,  crown  and  jewels. 

INCA  PRINCESS — Red  loose  draperies,  gilded  shoes  with- 
out heels,  hair  braided  and  ornamented;  heavy  chains  and 
jewelry. 

EVANGELINE — Plain  blue  or  gray  gown,  white  cap,  apron 
and  kerchief. 

MRS.  MURRAY — Colonial  costume,  dark  and  rich  looking, 
white  ruffled  cap. 

JINGU — Japanese  dress ;  carries  a  parasol. 

POCAHONTAS — Indian  dress,  hair  braided  with  feathers. 

The  minuet  may  be  danced  by  children  or  by  grown 
people  of  both  sexes,  or  by  girls  or  women.  In  the  latter 
case  one-half  the  dancers  should  be  dressed  in  figured  goods 
of  one  color  and  the  remainder  in  figured  goods  of  another. 
Any  two  tints  may  be  used. 


MATERIALS  FOR  COSTUMING. 

For  the  Genius,  Judith,  Xantippe,  Hannah  and  the  Inca 
Princess  the  costumes  should  be  from  soft  material  like 
cheese  cloth,  so  as  to  drape  well.  The  dress  for  the  Spirit 
of  Modern  America  should  be  of  wash  material  with  suffi- 
cient starch  in  it  to  keep  the  folds  from  concealing  the 
question  marks,  which  are  cut  from  paper  or  paper  muslin. 
The  dress  for  Molly  Pitcher  should  be  made  of  plain  or 
checked  material  to  resemble  homespun.  The  under  skirt 
for  Betsey  Ross  should  be  made  of  cambric,  as  should  also 
Mrs.  Murray's,  so  as  to  resemble  satin.  The  bodice  for 
these  as  well  as  the  overskirts  gathered  at  a  point  and 


THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID.  5 

looped  back,  should  be  from  soft  large  figured  goods  such 
as  cotton  drapery. 

The  dress  -for  Pocahontas  may  be  made  from  brown 
cambric,  to  resemble  leather.  The  fringe  can  be  made  of 
the  cloth.  Beads  may  be  sewed  in  clusters  over  the  skirt 
and  waist.  If  impossible  to  obtain  moccasins,  sew  beads  on 
soft  slippers  or  fringe  around  the  top,  to  hang  over ;  brown 
stockings  should  be  worn  and  fringe  sewed  up  the  sides. 
Evangeline's  dress  may  be  made  of  plain  blue  chambray. 

The  dresses  for  the  queens  may  be  made  of  highly  glazed 
cambric  for  the  front  and  skirts,  with  soft  materials  for  the 
drapery.  A  panel  of  white  crepe  paper  for  the  front  of  the 
bodice  and  for  the  skirt  may  be  painted  with  a  design  with 
gold  paint,  which  gives  a  rich  jeweled  effect.  The  train 
may  also  be  painted  in  the  same  way.  The  paper  holds  the 
paint  better  than  cloth  and  does  not  show  oil.  If  preferred, 
a  border  design  of  paper  may  be  pasted  around  the  train 
of  Queen  Elizabeth.  The  ruff  may  be  of  crepe  paper  or 
paper  muslin.  Queen  Elizabeth's  crown  should  rest  high  on 
top  of  the  head,  but  Queen  Isabella's  comes  down  on  the 
forehead.  These  may  be  made  of  wire  strung  with  beads, 
or  of  pasteboard  covered  with  gold  paper  with  jeweled  but- 
tons or  beads  sewed  on  in  designs. 

THE  SCREEN. 

The  screen  is  a  double-swing  three-paneled  screen  covered 
with  red  cloth,  with  the  outer  right  panel  having  pasted 
across  in  large  letters  of  gold,  "History  of  the  World." 
Below  this  should  be  some  historical  design  such  as  the 
Swastica  ornament.  (See  Figure  1.) 

When  the  curtain  goes  up  the  right  panel  is  folded 
tightly  against  the  middle  one,  so  that  the  letters  do  not 
show,  and  only  the  left  panel  and  the  middle  panel  are  in 
view  of  the  audience.  (See  Figure  2.) 

When  the  girl  has  taken  up  the  book  whose  cover  is  also 
of  red  cloth  with  the  same  design  and  letters  of  the  screen, 
the  screen  slowly  changes.  This  is  done  by  some  one  un- 
seen pushing  the  left  panel  against  the  middle  at  the  same 


THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID. 


time  drawing  out  the  right,  so  that  the  letters  are  toward 
the  audience.  (See  Figure  3.)  In  both  cases  the  screen 
resembles  a  book  cover  partly  open,  showing  but  two  pan- 
els. Each  time  a  character  is  desired  Genius  steps  to  screen, 
puts  left  hand  on  the  cover  (right  panel)  and  with  right 
hand  rustles  a  paper  to  imitate  sound  of  turning  leaves. 
The  characters  come  around  the  right  panel  as  Genius  steps 
aside.  To  the  audience  they  appear  to  come  out  from  the 
leaves.  Characters  also  exit  in  same  manner. 


MIDDLE 

FIG.  1 


FIG.  2 


FIG.  3 


THE  WOMEN  WHO  DID 


SCENE  :  A  living  room  with  table  at  right  center  having 
a  chair  at  either  end  of  it.  A  couch  at  right  rear.  A  large 
screen  at  left  rear,  before  an  entrance;  several  chairs;  an 
arm  chair  for  MARY  WASHINGTON  at  left  front  near  center; 
books  on  the  table.  GIRL  discovered  at  left  of  table  read- 
ing. The  characters  all  enter  and  exit  around  screen  as 
described  on  page  .  . .  Toivard  the  end  of  the  entertain- 
ment, when  many  characters  are  on  the  stage,  the  stage 
director  must  use  care  in  having  them  well  grouped. 

GIRL  (reading} — 

"They  talk  about  a  woman's  sphere 
As  if  it  had  a  limit. 
There's  not  a  place  in  earth  or  heaven, 
There's  not  a  task  to  mankind  given, 
There's  not  a  blessing  or  a  woe, 
There's  not  a  whispered  yes  or  no, 
There's  not  a  life,  nor  death,  nor  birth, 
That  has  a  feather's  weight  of  worth 
Without  a  woman  in  it." 

(Musing.}  Yes,  that  is  right.  That  poem  just  expresses  my 
thought.  (Stands  and  while  talking  walks  around  table  at 
front.}  For  in  every  great  thing  a  man  has  done  may  be 
found  a  woman.  While  his  hands  have  wrought  the  pillars 
and  beams  of  the  temple,  it  has  been  her  faith  in  him  and  in 
the  ultimate  success  of  his  undertaking  that  have  made  that 
success  possible.  But  when  a  woman  has  done  something 
truly  great,  she  has  had  to  stand  alone.  Most  of  her  famous 
deeds  have  been  accomplished  in  the  face  of  great  opposi- 
tion. How  I  wish  the  days  of  fairy  godmothers  would 

7 


8  THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

return!  I  would  make  my  one  wish  to  see  the  great  women 
of  history,  those  who  have  helped  in  the  onward  march  of 
progress.  (Takes  up  large  book  and  turns  it  so  that  the 
title  plainly  shows,  "History  of  the  World,"  at  the  same 
time  seating  herself.  Sighing.)  But  I  suppose  I  must  con- 
tent myself  with  reading  what  someone  has  written  about 
them,  someone  who  hasn't  seen  them  either,  and  wouldn't 
recognize  them  if  he  should.  (Reads.  Screen  slowly  turns 
so  that  it  stands  representing  the  exact  counterpart  of  the 
book  the  girl  is  reading.) 

GENIUS  OF  HISTORY  steps  from  the  book. 

GIRL  (starting  to  her  feet  as  looking  up  she  sees  visitor). 
Who  are  you?  Where  did  you  come  from?  How  did  you 
get  in? 

GENIUS.  I  heard  you  wishing  to  know  the  women  of 
history.  I  have  made  the  journey  across  the  space  of  cen- 
turies to  meet  your  wish.  I  am  the  Genius  of  History. 
(Walks  toward  front.) 

GIRL.  Oh,  how  splendid !  Then  you  can  tell  me  of  the 
people  of  the  past,  of  those  of  whom  I  have  read  so  much. 

GENIUS.  I  and  I  alone  can  do  this.  I  alone  can  remem- 
ber back  even  to  the  dawn  of  the  world.  I  alone  can  tell 
you  of  the  great  events  of  the  centuries.  I  can  tell  you  of 
Homer,  the  bard  of  the  Greeks.  I  was  with  Cleopatra 
down  the  sleepy  Nile.  I  witnessed  the  death  of  Caesar.  I 
shared  the  struggles  of  the  Pilgrim  Fathers  in  America. 
I  alone  knew  the  thoughts  of  the  Man  of  Destiny  as  he 
stood  looking  out  over  the  waters  from  his  lonely  rock  of 
St.  Helena.  I  stood  beside  Washington  as  mid  snow  and 
ice  he  cheered  his  brave  band  across  the  Delaware.  Do  you 
wish  to  hear  of  these? 

GIRL.  No.  That  would  be  wonderful,  indeed.  But  I 
wish  to  see  the  manner  of  women  who  have  helped  to  make 
the  world's  history. 

GENIUS.  Human  nature  is  much  the  same  in  all  lands. 
Each  was  hemmed  in  by  the  restrictions  of  her  own  times. 
But  come  with  me,  back  over  the  ages.  We  will  visit 


THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID.  9 

Jeptha's  daughter.  You  shall  see  Helen  of  Troy,  Cleopatra 
and  the  mother  of  the  Gracchi.  But  to  do  this  you  must 
come  at  once.  Time  is  passing  and  we,  too,  must  hasten. 
Come. 

GIRL  (starting  back).  Oh,  no,  no.  It  is  hard  to  read  of 
these  dark  times ;  but  to  be  of  them — no,  I  am  afraid.  If 
you  could  only  summon  them  here.  Could  you  ? 

GENIUS.  It  shall  be  done  even  as  you  wish,  but  it  will 
not  be  quite  the  same.  You  cannot  take  a  jewel  from  its 
setting  and  have  its  luster  undimmed.  But  as  you  wish,  so 
shall  it  be. 

GIRL.     Do  you  suppose  I  can  understand  their  language? 

GENIUS.  Certainly.  You  understand  the  book  you  are 
reading,  do  you  not?  I  shall  simply  transfer  them  from  the 
written  page  to  reality.  Whom  shall  we  have  first ?  (Goes 
to  screen  and  character  enters  as  described  on  page  6.) 

Enter  SPIRIT  OF  MODERN  AMERICA. 

GIRL  (eyeing  the  dress  of  the  "SPIRIT").  Who  is  this 
strange  person?  She  does  not  look  like  anyone  in  my 
history. 

SPIRIT  OF  MODERN  AMERICA.  Properly  speaking  my 
name  is  found  only  in  the  preface  to  the  third  edition  of 
this  book.  I  am  the  Spirit  of  Modern  America,  first  in  war, 
first  in  peace,  and  first  in  the  building  of  air  ships. 

GIRL  (walking  around  and  examining  the  dress  closely). 
What  are  those  curious  emblems?  They  look  like  interro- 
gation marks. 

GENIUS.  The  Spirit  of  Modern  America  is  given  to  ques- 
tions and  investigations.  This  is  what  makes  her  foremost 
in  the  world's  activities.  But  I  fear  she  is  too  much  given 
to  doubting.  She  takes  nothing  for  granted.  She  even 
questions  the  truth  of  some  of  my  best  stories.  George 
Washington  and  the  cherry  tree,  Alexander  sighing  for 
more  worlds  to  conquer,  and  even  questions  Christopher 
Columbus  and  Paul  Revere. 

SPIRIT.   That's  right.   "Believe  every  man  a  liar  until  he 


10  THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

proves  the  truth  of  his  statements,"  is  a  good  motto.  Re- 
member gold  bricks  are  a  modern  invention. 

GENIUS.  Well,  I've  told  you  there  is  nothing-  found  in 
fiction  that  hasn't  its  counterpart  in  history.  So  (turning  to 
GIRL)  name  anyone  you  may  wish  to  see  and  she  shall  be 
brought. 

GIRL.  Well,  as  an  example  of  sublime  courage,  I've 
often  thought  Judith,  she  who  slew  Holoferness,  the  Assy- 
rian leader  to  save  the  Jewish  people,  stood  foremost.  May 
I  see  her? 

GENIUS  (goes  to  screen}.    Even  now  she  comes. 

Enter  JUDITH,  advancing  slowly. 

GIRL.  How  beautiful !  Just  so  must  Judith  have  looked 
on  that  day  over  two  thousand  years  ago  when  she  went 
forth  on  her  mission.  Welcome,  brave  woman ! 

JUDITH.  Where  am  I  ?  Surely  not  again  in  the  tent  of 
our  foe.  Yet  these  have  an  unfamiliar  look.  Tell  me  who 
are  you?  Do  you  belong  to  the  hated  Assyrians? 

GENIUS.  I  am  the  Genius  of  History.  Here  is  a  woman 
of  a  century  long  since  that  of  your  own  who  wishes  to  see 
and  know  you. 

SPIRIT.  Oh,  please  tell  us  all  about  the  days  when  you 
fought  the  Assyrians  and  helped  to  save  your  race. 

GIRL.  Yes ;  tell  us  of  that  time,  please.  We  should  be  so 
delighted  to  hear  your  story  from  your  own  lips. 

JUDITH.  How  long  ago  I  know  not ;  but  I  remember  as 
if  it  were  now  the  death  of  my  husband.  Even  while  I 
mourned  the  departure  of  my  life's  light,  came  the  word 
that  Ozias,  Prince  of  Judea,  would  surrender  the  city  to  the 
Assyrians  in  five  days,  leaving  us  to  worship  false  gods. 
Even  now  rings  in  mine  ears  the  wailings  of  my  people. 
I  thought  of  him  whose  courage  might  have  saved  us,  and 
then  there  rose  within  me  the  thought  to  go  forth  myself. 
With  my  maid  on  one  dark  night  I  set  out  and  at  last  came 
to  the  camp  of  mine  enemies.  As  I  passed  along  I  prayed 
that  it  might  be  given  that  Holoferness  might  perish  by 
the  hand  of  a  woman.  So  I  remember  how  true  mv  hand 


THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID.  11 

was  guided,  and  once  more  there  was  peace  in  all  Judea. 
Then  for  me  came  long  years  full  of  quiet  and  rest  until 
at  last  it  was  permitted  me  to  sink  into  the  long  sleep,  sur- 
rounded by  the  greatest  honors  of  my  time. 

GIRL.  It  is  hard  to  understand  how  you  had  the  courage 
to  do  this. 

JUDITH.  It  was  the  love  of  my  husband,  he  who  would 
have  done  the  deed  had  he  lived,  that  gave  me  strength 
and  courage. 

SPIRIT.  Well,  I've  heard  that  love  will  drive  one  to 
strange  deeds.  I  think  I'll  make  a  note  of  that. 

JUDITH.  No  one  was  so  happy  as  we,  and  in  the  long 
years  that  followed,  how  I  missed  him. 

SPIRIT.  She  needs  sympathy,  and  she  shall  have  it.  We 
ought  to  think  of  some  one  who  could  sympathize  with  her. 

GIRL.  There's  Andromache,  who  was  left  to  mourn  the 
untimely  death  of  Hector  in  battle.  She  should  be  sympa- 
thetic. 

SPIRIT.  Just  the  thing.  We  must  hurry.  There's  no 
time  to  be  lost.  I'll  open  the  book.  (GENIUS  starts  for 
screen  but  the  SPIRIT  gets  there  first.) 

Enter  XANTIPPE. 

GENIUS.  This  is  Xantippe,  the  wife  of  Socrates,  not 
Andromache. 

SPIRIT  (meekly).  I  was  in  such  a  hurry  I  must  have 
opened  at  the  wrong  page. 

GENIUS.  That's  the  great  trouble  with  you,  Modern 
America.  You  hurry  too  much. 

SPIRIT.  Well,  never  mind,  Xantippe.  I  wanted  to  see 
you  anyway,  though  I  don't  know  as  you  will  be  much 
comfort  to  this  lady  in  the  loss  of  her  husband. 

XANTIPPE.  I  do  not  care  about  any  woman's  husband 
but  my  own.  Do  you  know  anything  about  him?  Here  I 
am  searching  for  him  every  day  whenever  I  have  his  meals 
ready,  while  he  runs  the  streets  and  talks.  I  never  get  a 
warm  meal,  for  he  never  is  there  till  they're  cold.  Besides 
I  have  to  furnish  the  meals  myself. 


12  THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

GIRL.  When  I've  had  to  learn  so  much  about  Socrates, 
I  have  wished  he  talked  less. 

XANTIPPE.  You  would  have  liked  it  even  less  if  you 
were  his  wife,  and  he  never  came  home  as  long  as  there 
was  anyone  in  the  street.  I've  talked,  and  talked,  and 
talked  to  him  about  it  until  I'm  just  tired  of  talking.  If 
he  doesn't  do  his  duty,  it  is  not  from  lack  of  knowing  what 
it  is.  I'm  sure  I  do  mine  in  telling  him  of  it,  and  what  to  do, 
even  if  he  doesn't  pay  any  attention  to  it. 

GIRL.  It's  a  pretty  well  known  fact  in  history  that  you 
told  him  enough. 

JUDITH  (rising  and  coming  forward}.  How  strangely 
you  speak.  Did  you  not  love  your  husband? 

XANTIPPE.  Do  you  suppose  I  should  worry  as  I  do  if 
I  did  not?  It  is  because  I  do  care  so  much  for  him  that  I 
want  him  to  do  better.  I  don't  like  the  neighbors  talking 
about  us. 

SPIRIT  (writing  in  note  book).  Did  you  ever  hear  the 
like  ?  They  had  neighbors  with  neighborly  ways,  too.  Think 
of  this  phase  of  love — because  she  loves,  she  scolds. 

GENIUS.  Now  I  am  going  to  bring  someone  who  should 
interest  you  both — Isabella  of  Spain. 

GIRL.     Indeed  I  shall  be — 

GENIUS  goes  to  screen.    Enter  QUEEN  ISABELLA. 

ISABELLA  (walking  sloivly  to  front).  Strange  places  have 
I  visited,  from  glittering  palaces  to  bare  cells.  Strange 
people  have  met  my  eye,  but  never  before  have  you  crossed 
my  path.  Where  am  I? 

GENIUS.  Welcome,  Isabella,  Queen  of  Spain.  You  are 
here  in  the  United  States,  a  part  of  that  America  for  whose 
finding  you  sacrificed  your  jewels.  This  is  the  land  which 
Columbus  found.  (Pointing  to  GIRL.)  This  is  a  citizen  of 
that  country. 

ISABELLA  (facing  GIRL).  Are  you  then  a  loyal  subject  of 
Spain?  Why  do  you  not  kneel?  I  had  hoped  that  ere  this 
all  the  barbarians  would  have  been  converted. 

GIRL.     We  do  not  belong  to  Spain,    Long  ago  we  gave 


THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID.  13 

up  all  allegiance  to  any  power  in  Europe.  We  have  a  gov- 
ernment of  our  own. 

ISABELLA.  This  land  is  mine  by  right  of  discovery.  1 
do  not  parley  with  rebellious  subjects.  I  must  summon  at 
once  the  fleets  and  armies  of  Castile  and  Aragon  and  put 
down  this  uprising. 

SPIRIT  (walking  toward  ISABELLA).  Advice  is  cheap,  Isa- 
bella, but  if  I  were  you  I  shouldn't  mention  the  name  of  the 
United  States  to  the  armies  of  Spain.  They  are  inclined  to 
be  peevish  at  the  sound  of  it. 

ISABELLA  (haughtily).  Do  you  presume  to  advise  the 
Queen  ? 

GENIUS  (putting  hand  on  ISABELLA'S  left  arm).  Long 
years  have  passed  since  your  reign,  and  Spain  has  spread 
abroad  her  power,  risen  to  be  one  of  the  foremost  among 
the  nations  and  declined  again  as  any  nation  must  which 
does  not  glorify  labor. 

ISABELLA  (crossing  to  left  and  seating  herself).  I  shall 
not  give  up  my  rights.  Mine  this  country  is  and  mine  it 
shall  be.  Is  it  for  nothing  I  sold  my  jewels,  my  beautiful 
jewels? 

GIRL.  Oh,  speaking  of  jewels,  may  we  see  Cornelia  with 
her  jewels? 

GENIUS.  Cornelia  shall  be  summoned,  but  the  jewels 
must  be  omitted. 

SPIRIT.  I'm  so  disappointed.  I  really  wanted  to  see 
those  jewels.  I  always  wondered  about  that  jewel  story, 
anyway. 

ISABELLA.  Her  jewels  can  be  no  more  beautiful  than 
mine. 

GENIUS  goes  to  screen.    Enter  CORNELIA. 

CORNELIA  (walks  to  center,  front,  looking  around).  Here 
is  a  strange  looking  people,  but  I  shall  fear  naught.  What 
news  is  abroad  in  the  Forum?  Do  they  speak  of  war  or 
peace?  Who  are  you  who  stand  gazing  at  the  proudest 
mother  of  Rome?  Why  are  you  silent? 

SPIRIT.     We  are  silent  simply  because  we  haven't  had  a 


14  THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

chance  to  speak  one  word,  and  we  are  too  polite  to  inter- 
rupt. 

GIRL.  You  see  here  two  daughters  of  America,  a  land 
of  whose  existence  you  never  even  dreamed.  This  is  one 
who  has  known  you  well,  as  also  your  famous  sons.  This 
is  a  noble  Jewish  lady,  a  Greek  matron,  and  here  is  one 
who  was  a  queen  of  Spain. 

CORNELIA.  Spain  ?  Spain  ?  Is  this  Hispania,  where  dwelt 
that  hated  Tyrian  race,  the  enemy  ever  of  Rome  ? 

ISABELLA.  It  was  called  Hispania.  I  know  not  why  you 
should  hate  the  race.  But  I  am  desirous  of  seeing  your 
jewels.  Bring  them  hither  if  you  have  them. 

CORNELIA.  My  jewels?  Then  you  must  have  heard  the 
story.  My  jewels  were  my  children.  Have  you  not  heard  of 
the  Gracchi?  Listen,  then,  while  I  tell  you  of  them,  the 
noblest  of  Roman  sons.  My  two  boys,  warriors,  reflect 
great  credit  upon  Rome.  Their  loyalty  was  equalled  by 
none  in  the  land. 

ISABELLA.     I,  too,  had  noble  sons  and  fair  daughters. 

SPIRIT  (aside  to  GENIUS).  They'll  begin  to  quarrel  pretty 
soon  and  then  we'll  have  to  arbitrate.  Do  let's  have  some 
one  else.  Can't  we  have  George  Washington's  mother? 
(To  audience.}  He  was  a  jewel  to  be  proud  of. 

GENIUS.  Certainly.  I  will  gladly  bring  her.  (Goes  to 
screen. } 

Enter  MARY  WASHINGTON.  GIRL  and  SPIRIT  advance  to 
meet  her  and  bring  her  to  a  chair  at  center  front  of  stage. 

GIRL  (after  MARY  WASHINGTON  is  seated}.  Mrs.  Wash- 
ington, we  are  pleased  to  greet  you.  As  a  true  representa- 
tive of  American  motherhood,  who  instilled  the  ideal  of 
moral  as  well  as  physical  courage  in  your  son,  we  ask  you 
to  meet  the  famous  women  of  other  lands  who  are  present. 

MARY  WASHINGTON.  I  am  pleased  to  greet  yon.  (Takes 
out  knitting  work.}  You  seem  to  be  enjoying  yourselves 
and  I  am  glad  to  have  this  opportunity  to  visit  you,  but  I 
do  not  wish  to  be  idle. 


THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID.  15 

GIRL.  Mrs.  Washington,  will  you  please  tell  us  about 
George  ? 

SPIRIT.  Yes,  indeed.  Was  that  story  of  the  hatchet  and 
the  cherry  tree  really  true? 

MARY  WASHINGTON  (laying  aside  knitting  work  and  tak- 
ing hatchet  from  bag).  Indeed  it  was.  Here  is  the  hatchet. 
I  shall  cherish  it  till  my  dying  day.  (SPIRIT  takes  hatchet, 
looks  at  it  carefully,  then  passes  it  along  and  begins  to 
take  notes.  Each  one  takes  the  hatchet  in  turn  except  ISA- 
BELLA who  turns  disgustedly  away.  After  all  are  through 
MARY  WASHINGTON  returns  it  to  the  bag.) 

SPIRIT  (sighing).  I'm  so  glad  I  proved  that  hatchet  story 
true. 

CORNELIA.  You  had  a  brave  son.  Then  you  must  hear  of 
mine,  whose  bravery  has  never  been  equalled,  whose  lives — 

SPIRIT.  Excuse  me,  please.  Wait  a  little.  (Turning  to 
GENIUS.)  She  will  be  saying  something  putting  down 
George  Washington  next.  Then  we'll  have  trouble.  Bring 
in  someone  right  away.  Never  mind  who  it  is.  Just  open 
page  194  and  see  who'll  be  there. 

GENIUS.  You  are  always  taking  chances,  gambling  on 
everything.  You  should  break  yourself  of  the  habit.  I'll  let 
you  have  your  way  just  this  once,  though.  (Goes  to  screen.) 

Enter  MOLLY  PITCHER. 

SPIRIT.     Molly  Pitcher! 

MOLLY  PITCHER.  Howdy'  do?  I  just  came  in  to  see  if 
there  was  any  news  today,  or  anything  to  be  done. 

GIRL.  Welcome,  brave  Molly  Pitcher.  We  are  grateful 
for  your  company  at  this  time. 

SPIRIT  (aside).  There's  more  truth  than  poetry  in  that 
statement. 

MOLLY  PITCHER.  Is  this  not  the  mother  of  our  beloved 
Washington?  (Drops  curtsey  to  MARY  WASHINGTON.) 

MARY  WASHINGTON.  Greetings,  brave  woman.  My  son 
cherishes  ever  your  brave  deed. 

ISABELLA.     Who  is  this  uncouth  person? 

XANTIPPE   (to  MOLLY  PITCHER).    Have  you  seen  any- 


16  THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

thing  of  my  husband,  Socrates,  as  you  came  through  the 
streets  this  morning? 

MOLLY  PITCHER.  Me  did  you  ask?  I  know  naught  of 
any  woman's  husband  save  my  own.  He  fell  in  the  bloody 
battle  of  Monmouth,  and  a  braver  man  never  entered  a 
fight.  But  say,  what  is  this  meeting?  Is  there  any  trouble? 
If  there  is  anything  to  be  done,  just  say  so,  and  Molly 
Pitcher  is  the  one  to  do  it.  Out  with  it,  I  say.  What  is  it? 

XANTIPPE.  I  don't  know  either.  If  Socrates  were  only 
here  he  might  tell,  but  I  don't  know  where  he  is  to  ask  him. 
He's  probably  asking  questions  somewhere  to  puzzle  some- 
body. 

SPIRIT.  Well,  if  he  were  here  in  the  United  States  now, 
he  would  find  out  he  didn't  know  everything. 

MOLLY  PITCHER  (to  XANTIPPE).  He  must  be  a  Yankee 
if  he  asks  questions.  But  that's  not  an  answer  to  mine. 
This  surely  is  not  a  tea  party  or  Mrs.  Washington  wouldn't 
be  here.  I've  drunk  no  tea  since  the  party  in  Boston  harbor. 
(Turning  to  ISABELLA.)  But  there  must  be  a  reason  for 
you  to  be  rigged  out  in  such  togs.  (Fingers  ISABELLA'S 
dress.)  Why  don't  you  wear  homespun  and  encourage  the 
struggling  boys? 

ISABELLA.  Keep  your  hands  from  the  sacred  person  of 
her  majesty. 

CORNELIA  (to  MOLLY  PITCHER).  Strange  woman,  I  know 
not  who  you  are,  but — 

MOLLY.  Well,  never  mind,  you're  as  wise  as  I  am  about 
you.  (Surveys  her.}  I  never  in  all  my  life  saw  anyone  that 
that  looked  like  you. 

CORNELIA.  Ignorant  woman.  I  am  Cornelia,  the  mother 
of  the  Gracchi,  the  proudest  mother  in  Rome. 

MOLLY  PITCHER.  Poor  children.  Why  don't  you  stay 
home  and  take  care  of  them?  Are  they  lost  that  you  have 
no  time  even  to  dress  before  you  go  out  on  the  street?  Do 
you  need  help  to  find  them? 

SPIRIT  (to  GENIUS).  She'll  never  understand.  Can't  you 
get  someone  to  sing  and  make  things  pleasant  ?  Molly  will 
get  us  into  trouble. 


THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID.  17 

GENIUS.     Yes,  I'll  bring-  in  Betsey  Ross. 

GIRL.     Could  she  sing? 

GENIUS.  She  made  the  flag  full  of  songs.  While  her 
busy  fingers  fashioned  the  stars  and  stripes,  her  voice  was 
ever  raised  in  song.  (Goes  to  screen.) 

Enter  BETSEY  Ross. 

GIRL.  Welcome,  Betsey  Ross,  maker  of  the  flag  of  the 
free!  (Goes  forward  and  leads  BETSEY  Ross  down  to  the 
front,  the  SPIRIT  following  at  right.) 

SPIRIT  (musing  as  she  makes  a  note  in  her  book).  Betsey 
Ross  really  was  in  existence,  whether  she  made  the  flag  or 
not.  I  must  find  that  out  before  she  leaves.  (To  BETSEY.) 
Mrs.  Ross,  will  you  tell  us  how  you  made  the  flag  and 
sang  ? 

BETSEY  Ross.  Indeed  I  will.  It  was  the  great  General 
Washington  himself  who  hired  it  made.  I  am  proud  that 
I  was  chosen  to  make  that  flag  which  should  symbolize 
liberty,  a  flag  which  is  like  the  eternal  stars,  because  it 
cannot  be  taken  down.  I  can  see  it  as  it  grew  beneath 
my  fingers,  and  whenever  I  look  at  it  now  the  very  stars 
seem  to  ring  with  the  songs  I  sang.  (Steps  to  front  of  stage 
and  sings:  "Take  Your  Taxes  Home,  King  George,"  or 
some  other  revolutionary  song.) 

SPIRIT.     Good,  good.    I  shall  never  doubt  again. 

ISABELLA.  I  do  not  understand  the  purport  of  your  song. 
Was  there  war  in  the  land  at  this  time? 

MOLLY  PITCHER.  To  be  sure  there  was.  I  fought.  I 
myself  sent  a  few  volleys  into  the  British  lion. 

CORNELIA.  Has  woman,  then,  freedom  in  battle  in  this 
land?  Goes  she  forth  to  fight?  Perhaps  the  ruler  is  a 
woman  ? 

SPIRIT.  No ;  not  yet,  Cornelia.  But  we  are  advancing 
rapidly,  and  when  we  get  a  little  further  on  the  road  to 
civilization  in  this  as  in  other  things,  woman  shall  assume 
the  sphere  into  which  she  properly  belongs — the  ruler  of 
the  country  as  she  is  now  the  ruler  of  the  home.  As  far 
as  battle  is  concerned — 


18  THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

MARY  WASHINGTON.  As  far  as  battle  is  concerned 
woman's  place  is  at  home,  not  on  battlefields,  though  we  all 
love  brave  Molly  Pitcher. 

SPIRIT.  Well,  I  believe  if  you  have  anything  to  fight 
for,  fight. 

GENIUS.  The  bloodless  battles  waged  by  women  today, 
fought  with  courage  but  without  the  noise  of  cannon,  are 
the  great  factors  in  world  achievement. 

GIRL.  The  battle  of  Hannah,  the  Quakeress,  was  blood- 
less, but  well  fought.  May  we  see  her? 

GENIUS.  Certainly.  Here  she  comes,  a  brave  woman 
with  quiet  ways.  (Goes  to  screen.} 

Enter  HANNAH,  who  courtseys. 

HANNAH.  Thee  seems  troubled  by  some  problem.  Can 
I  help  thee?  Madam  Washington,  1  greet  thee. 

SPIRIT.  You  can  help  me  settle  something  if  you  will. 
Did  you  for  a  fact  make  those  old  Quakers  who  did  not 
want  to  fight  themselves,  give  up  money  to  carry  on  the 
war,  buying  powder  and  supplies,  or  not?  Is  that  a  myth? 

HANNAH  (seating  herself).  Thee  must  let  me  sit  down 
and  take  my  knitting.  The  story  is  true,  but  I  know  not 
who  told  thee.  The  Quakers  did  not  want  to  fight,  but  I 
could  not  bear  that  my  Isaac  should  not  do  for  our  country, 
so  when  they  voted,  I  listened.  When  I  heard  my  Isaac 
vote,  I  entered  and  spake  to  them. 

GIRL.     Will  you  please  tell  us  what  you  said? 

HANNAH.  If  I  remember  rightly  I  said,  "Thy  Tory  gold 
is  not  needed,  for  God  is  on  our  side."  Then  I  said  to 
Isaac  firmly:  "Thou  mayst  have  thy  house  and  thy  king; 
I  have  my  country  and  I  have  no  traitor  husband."  They 
listened  to  reason  and  considered,  so  I  left  them  to  be  as 
generous  as  they  wished.  'Twas  very  little  to  do.  They 
only  needed  a  persuasive  tongue. 

XANTIPPE.  Well,  I'd  have  told  them  in  a  few  words 
what  I  thought.  I'd  have  told  it  emphatically,  too.  They'd 
have  had  no  doubt  as  to  where  I  stood  if  I  had  been  there. 

HANNAH.     I  think  they  understood  me. 


THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID.  19 

SPIRIT.  If  history  tells  the  truth,,  their  answer  was  in 
gold,  which  often  speaks  louder  than  words.  Will  you  tell 
us  what  you  think  of  woman's  rights? 

HANNAH.  I  believe  woman  should  try  all  arts  of  peace 
and  accomplish  her  deeds  through  her  husband. 

SPIRIT.  We  are  not  all  supplied  with  such.  We  haven't 
all  of  us  your  persuasive  ways  and  we  are  not  all  so  fair 
to  look  upon. 

GENIUS.  I'll  bring  in  one  who  accomplished  much  by 
herself — Queen  Eli/abeth.  (Goes  to  screen.) 

Enter  QUEEN  ELIZABETH. 

ELIZABETH  (looking  about  her).  Forsooth,  'tis  a  merry 
crowd,  but  know  you  not  'tis  the  Queen  enters  ?  Why  kneel 
you  not  before  the  sovereign?  (To  ISABELLA.)  'Tis  pass- 
ing strange  thy  face  is  the  only  one  familiar  to  me.  Who 
are  you? 

ISABELLA.  I  know  you  not,  but  indeed  if  you  have  wis- 
dom you  should  know  me.  I  am  Isabella  of  Spain. 

ELIZABETH.  Yes,  I  bethink  me.  'Twas  thy  portrait  I 
have  seen,  no  doubt.  What  do  ye  here?  Dost  make  a  holi- 
day with  thy  companions? 

ISABELLA.  Alas,  I  know  naught  of  these  except  that 
they  seem  rebellious  subjects  of  that  land  for  which  I  sac- 
rificed much.  Further  I  cannot  tell. 

ELIZBETH.  Strange  tales  have  reached  mine  ears  of  that 
land  and  its  people.  What  manner  of  customs  have  they? 
Why  came  they  here?  Seek  they  anything  of  their  sover- 
eign? Let  them  please  to  tell  me.  If  it  be  ought  in  reason, 
Elizabeth  will  not  turn  them  away. 

ISABELLA.  But  this  America  is  mine,  by  all  rights  of  dis- 
covery. How  dare  you  claim  it? 

ELIZABETH.  Indeed,  methinks  the  claim  of  Spain  to  dis- 
pute England's  rights  was  long  settled  ago  ago  by  Eng- 
land's valiant  men,  and  a  merry  day  it  was  when  the  Span- 
ish fleets  were  lost.  What  is  this  country  by  n?me? 

GIRL.     This  is  called  the  United  States  of  America. 


20  THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

ELIZABETH.  .  'Tis  perchance  one  of  the  small  dependen- 
cies of  England? 

SPIRIT.  Well,  England  depends  on  us  when  she  needs 
a  good  sound  thrashing,  and  she  has  never  yet  appealed  in 
vain. 

ELIZABETH.  Do  you  mock  me?  Odd's  life.  Have  a  care 
how  you  joke.  (To  MARY  WASHINGTON.)  Arise,  my  good 
woman,  and  let  your  queen  be  seated  in  this  chair. 

MOLLY  PITCHER.  No,  indeed !  Now  you  just  step  back 
or  I  may  forget  I'm  not  facing  the  English  at  Monmouth. 

ELIZABETH.  Death  of  my  life!  Dost  dare  speak  thus  to 
your  sovereign?  What  ignorance  of  custom!  Royalty  for- 
sooth has  ever  first  place  in  all  lands. 

SPIRIT.  Nor  is  the  United  States  behind.  You  see  the 
ruler  of  the  highest  kingdom  on  earth,  the  noblest  type  of 
royalty — the  American  mother. 

ELIZABETH.  'Tis  strange,  the  manners  of  these  people 
to  their  queen. 

ISABELLA  (standing}.  I  told  you  I  am  their  rightful 
queen.  What  have  you  given  for  this  country?  I  gave  my 
jewels. 

MOLLY  (coming  to  center  of  stage).  You?  What  was 
your  gift  beside  mine?  A  few  old  stones  compared  with  my 
husband's  life?  (To  ELIZABETH.)  Did  you  sacrifice  your 
husband  ? 

ELIZABETH.  My  husband?  Surely  the  woman  is  mad. 
Hast  never  heard  of  Elizabeth,  the  virgin  queen? 

SPIRIT  (taking  out  note  book).  That  makes  me  think. 
There  was  something  I  wanted  to  ask.  Did  you  really  love 
Essex?  Why  did  you  not  marry? 

ELIZABETH.  At  my  feet  were  many  suitors,  mighty  men 
of  intellect,  courageous  and  brave  sought  the  hand  of  Eliz- 
abeth. Statesmen  versed  in  the  laws  of  many  lands,  poets, 
dreamers,  travelers  from  far  and  wide  sought  my  compan- 
ionship. Mine  was  the  age  of  art  and  letters.  For  love  of 
Essex  I  did  much,  but  never  could  Elizabeth  stoop  to  marry 
any  mortal.  I  held  the  admiration  of  many. 

SPIRIT.     Well,  that  settles-  that  point  anyway.    (Writes 


THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID.  21 

in  book.)  She  did  love  him,  she  says.  That's  what  I  could 
never  settle. 

MOLLY  PITCHER.  If  you  loved  him,  'twould  have  been 
more  to  your  credit,  if  he  wanted  you,  to  have  married  him. 
Did  he  ever  ask  you? 

ELIZABETH.  Woman,  do  you  mean  to  insult  me?  Get 
from  my  sight. 

MOLLY  PITCHER.  Now,  this  is  a  free  country.  I've 
fought  the  British  once  and  I  don't  mind  trying  it  again, 
you  had  better  keep  back  a  little  or  Sergeant  Molly  will 
show  you  what  fight  means. 

SPIRIT.  Oh,  what  shall  we  do?  Can't  someone  think  of 
something  lively  to  change  the  subject? 

BETSEY.  You  might  have  some  dancing.  How  I  would 
like  to  see  a  minuet ! 

MARY  WASHINGTON.     And  I,  too. 

SPIRIT.  The  dances  we  know  are  not  much  like  the 
stately  minuet.  In  fact,  I'm  sure  they'll  not  suit  you  at  all. 
(To  GENIUS.)  Could  you  show  us  a  minuet? 

GENIUS.  Certainly.  It  is  described  in  the  book.  You 
must  make  room  for  them.  (GENIUS  goes  to  screen  and 
DANCERS  appear,  while  the  others  move  table  and  chairs 
back.  When  the  minuet  is  oi'er  GENIUS  goes  to  screen  and 
the  DANCERS  return  as  they  entered.  The  others  place  the 
furniture  just  as  it  was  before.) 

BETSEY.  How  that  makes  me  think  of  old  times.  If  Mr. 
Ross  were  only  here,  I  should  not  mind  taking  a  few  steps 
myself. 

SPIRIT.  She  will  be  trying  it  next.  Do  bring  in  someone 
who  owns  neither  the  earth  nor  sea,  nor  even  thinks  she 
does. 

GENIUS  (goes  to  screen).  Here  is  one  ready  to  come 
from  the  first  pages  of  the  book.  Do  you  recognize  her? 

Enter  the  INCA  PRINCESS. 

GIRL   (in  astonishment).    The  Inca  Princess!  Welcome 
indeed  is  this  representative  of  the  earliest  in  America. 
PRINCESS.     I  have  traveled  far  in  distance  and  time,  and 


22  THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

now  I  know  not  whither  I  am  bound  nor  whom  I  behold. 
Tell  me,  who  are  you?  (Turning  to  ISABELLA.) 

ISABELLA.  I  am  Queen  of  Spain,  Isabella.  Of  these  oth- 
ers I  know  but  little,  except  they  refuse  to  recognize  their 
rightful  sovereign,  whose  sacrifice  gave  them  the  rich  land 
of  America. 

PRINCESS.  Are  you  from  that  land  whence  came  the 
hated  conquerors  of  Peru,  my  country? 

ISABELLA.  I,  with  my  beloved  husband,  King  Ferdinand, 
ruled  a  united  Spain.  'Twas  for  his  sake  I  wished  to  extend 
the  kingdom.  (SPIRIT  takes  out  a  pencil  at  mention  of  the 
king  and  begins  to  write  rapidly).  Did  you  know  Pizarro 
and  DeSoto? 

PRINCESS.  Even  though  I  hated  the  conquerors  of  my 
country,  the  despoilers  of  our  race,  I  could  kiss  the  hand 
of  her  who  speaks  his  name.  (Stoops  and  lifts  ISABELLA'S 
hand  and  kisses  it.)  I  loved  Hernando  DeSoto.  I  gave  my 
time  caring  for  him  while  he  lay  sick  with  fever,  although 
my  kindness  to  him  received  the  deserved  reward  of  hatred 
and  death  from  mine  own  people.  We  dare  much  for  love. 
I  saved  his  life  to  lose  my  own. 

JUDITH  (rising  and  coming  fonvard).  Could  I  have 
saved  my  husband's  life  with  my  own,  how  gladly  would 
I  have  done  it. 

GIRL.  That  reminds  me  of  another  perfect  example  of 
woman's  devotion — Evangeline.  May  I  see  her,  or  isn't  she 
in  the  book? 

GENIUS.  Certainly.  She  is  so  closely  allied  to  history 
as  to  be  always  mentioned.  Even  now  she  comes  with  her 
Norman  cap  and  her  kirtle  of  blue.  This  is  as  she  was 
while  yet  on  her  search  of  Gabriel.  (Goes  to  screen.) 

Enter  EVANGELINE. 

GENIUS.  Evangeline,  your  sad  story  has  touched  all 
hearts  and  we  have  summoned  you  here  to  tell  us  the  story 
of  your  wanderings. 

EVANGELINE.  I  can  only  think  of  Gabriel,  and  pray 
again  to  behold  him.  Within  my  heart  is  his  image  clothed 


THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID.  23 

in  the  beauty  of  love  and  youth,  as  last  I  beheld  him,  only 
more  beautiful  grown  by  his  deathlike  silence  and  absence. 
Tis  said  that  far  to  the  north  and  east  in  the  Michigan 
forests  Gabriel  has  his  lodge  by  the  banks  of  the  Saginaw 
River.  Hast  thou  seen  him? 

GIRL  (aside).  Isn't  it  pitiful?  (To  EVANGELINE.)  No, 
we  cannot  tell  you  where  he  is. 

SPIRIT.  It  is  a  pity  they  didn't  wait  till  the  days  of  tele- 
graphs and  telephones  to  show  such  devotion.  Let's  have 
something  lively  to  cheer  her. 

BETSEY.  I'll  sing.  (Steps  to  the  front  and  sings  "Yankee 
Doodle".) 

ELIZABETH.  Thy  voice  is  sweet ;  'tis  a  pity  thou  hast  no 
better  words  to  sing. 

SPIRIT.  A  bit  of  singing  together  with  a  good  dinner 
saved  the  country  once — at  least  it  saved  a  general  with 
four  thousand  men.  May  we  see  Mrs.  Murray? 

GENIUS.  Certainly,  you  may.  A  charming  woman.  (Goes 
to  screen.) 

Enter  MRS.   MURRAY.    Curtseys. 

GENIUS.  Mrs.  Murray,  these  ladies  are  desirous  of  hear- 
ing how  you  entertained  the  British  officers  so  General 
Putnam  and  his  men  could  march  across  New  York  and 
escape.  • 

MRS.  MURRAY.  La,  that  is  easy  enough  to  tell.  I  just 
prepared  them  the  most  tempting  meal  I  knew  how  to  get. 
The  way  to  a  man's  heart  is  not  always  through  his  stomach, 
but  the  way  to  keep  his  heart  is  to  keep  him  well  fed.  Mr. 
Murray  and  I  loved  each  other  devotedly,  and  next  to  each 
other  stood  in  affection  our  country.  We  were  acquainted 
with  the  British  officers,  so  we  entertained  them  and  at 
the  same  time  helped  our  country.  La  me,  how  gay  we 
were,  and  how  we  laughed  at  their  stories  and  pressed  them 
to  remain  just  a  little  longer,  until  we  were  quite  sure  that 
every  American  soldier  was  on  his  way  to  safety. 

HANNAH.     Thee  showed  good  judgment. 

GIRL.     That's  the  kind  of  stories  I  like  to  hear,  not  sad 


24  THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

ones   nor   creepy   ones   full   of   fighting',   especially   where 
woman  is  concerned.    Still  I  wanted  to  see  all  kinds. 

SPIRIT.  Oh,  I  wanted  to  see  some  good  woman  warrior. 
Now  there's  that  Japanese  heroine,  Jingu,  who  won  Corea 
by  her  valor.  May  we  see  her? 

GENIUS.  I  will  gladly  bring  her.  Okinaga  Tarashihime, 
we  have  summoned  you  here  to  meet  the  most  famous 
women  of  all  ages,  and  beg  you  to  tell  us  of  your  victory. 
(Goes  to  screen.) 

Enter  JINGU. 

JINGU.  I,  the  insignificant  wife  of  the  Mikado  Chinai, 
I  heard  a  voice  from  afar  bidding  me  go  to  a  strange  land 
across  the  water  of  which  nothing  was  known.  My  dear 
husband  did  but  doubt,  so  when  he  was  slain,  I,  unworthy 
as  I  was  to  follow  his  noble  feet,  took  his  place  at  the  head 
of  the  army  and  started  to  follow  the  behest  of  the  voice 
from  afar.  I  said  to  the  soldiers,  "On  this  voyage  depends 
the  glory  or  ruin  of  our  country.  I  am  a  woman  and  young. 
If  we  are  wise  and  valiant  a  wealthy  country  shall  be  ours. 
If  we  succeed,  the  glory  shall  be  yours.  If  through  evil 
fortune  we  fail,  on  me  shall  lie  all  guilt  and  disgrace.  We 
won.  The  spirit  of  Peace  guided  and  protected  us.  The 
spirt  of  War  guided  our  ships  across  the  seas.  For  this 
my  son  Ojim  was  much  beloved.  He  was  a  great  warrior. 

CORNELIA  (coming  forward).  My  two  sons  were  also 
noble  warriors.  I  am  Cornelia,  the  mother  of  the  Gracchi. 

ELIZABETH.  The  woman's  tale  held  much  of  interest, 
although  the  name  of  the  country  is  unfamiliar.  Is  it  part 
of  that  land  which  Raleigh  settled  in  honor  of  me,  the 
Virgin  Queen? 

BETSEY.     No,  it's  not  a  part  of  our  land. 

ISABELLA.  Your  land?  The  land  is  mine,  nor  (turning 
to  ELIZABETH)  is  my  land  to  be  named  for  you,  either. 
(While  saying  this  she  walks  the  left  center  of  the  stage.) 

BETSEY.     I  said  my  land. 

ISABELLA.  Who  are  you  ?  Surely  not  a  part  of  any  royal 
family  that  you  should  make  claim  to  dispute  a  queen. 


THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID.  25 

MOLLY  PITCHER.  She  made  her  country's  flag".  What 
higher  honor  could  anyone  wish? 

ISABELLA.  She  sews  well,  perhaps,  but  I  am  queen  by 
divine  right — Isabella  of  Spain. 

ELIZABETH  (stepping  to  front  at  left  center).  And  I,  too, 
by  divine  right,  Elizabeth,  Queen  of  England. 

BETSEY  (raising  small  nag  and  stepping  between  the  two 
queens}.  I  had  rather  have  been  the  maker  of  the  stars 
and  stripes  than  been  queen  of  the  proudest  country  of 
Europe. 

HANNAH.     Thou  hast  spirit,  friend  Betsey. 

GENIUS.  Time  is  passing  and  I  must  again  make  my 
rounds  over  the  earth.  Is  there  anyone  else  you  wish  to  see? 

SPIRIT.  Yes,  may  we  see  Pocahontas?  (Aside.)  I  just 
want  to  settle  that  question  while  I  have  the  opportunity. 
(Opens  note  book.  JINGU  seated  on  the  floor.) 

GENIUS  (goes  to  screen).  Enter  Pocahontas,  brave 
woman. 

Enter  POCAHONTAS. 

ELIZABETH.  Surely  I  have  seen  that  face.  Isn't  not 
Lady  Rebecca? 

POCAHONTAS.  'Tis  the  queen.  (Kneels  before  ELIZA- 
BETH and  kisses  her  hand.) 

ISABELLA.  The  barbarians  called  Indians  recognize  the 
custom  of  saluting  a  queen.  'Twould  be  well  if  you,  too, 
should  take  a  lesson. 

SPIRIT.  Well,  you  both  ought  to  be  satisfied  now. 
You've  each  been  properly  saluted  by  the  aborigines  of 
America.  But  tell  us,  Pocahontas,  did  you  really  save  the 
life  of  Captain  John  Smith? 

POCAHONTAS.  Truly  I  did.  He  was  my  hero.  The  white 
man  delighted  ever  the  childish  heart  of  the  daughter  of 
the  great  Chief  Powhattan.  The  chieftain,  my  father,  loved 
me,  so  when  the  white  man,  my  friend,  was  to  be  killed, 
was  it  strange  that  I  should  beg  his  life?  My  father 
granted  the  boon  I  asked,  and  ever  after  was  friendship 
between  the  men  of  our  tribe  and  the  white  brothers. 


26  THE    WOMEN    WHO    DID. 

After  my  marriage  I  went  to  great  England,  and  was  called 
Lady  Rebecca,  but  my  heart  remained  in  the  free  forests 
of  my  childhood,  and  every  sun  brought  a  desire  to  return. 
In  all  that  grandeur  was  nothing  so  pleasing  to  me  as  the 
silent  forests  through  which  my  childish  feet  had  wan- 
dered. Tell  me,  do  they  yet  remain,  and  can  I  once  more 
roam  at  will  through  their  trackless  depths? 

GENIUS.  Civilization,  that  destroyer,  has  felled  wantonly 
the  virgin  forests  so  familiar  to  you.  In  their  stead  have 
sprung  up  happy  homes  and  prosperous  villages.  What  has 
been  done  cannot  be  undone.  It  is  the  price  of  advance- 
ment. But  (turning  to  go}  my  time  is  ended.  These  must 
return  whence  they  came.  As  far  and  wide  their  lives  were 
lived  so  must  they  separate  again  and  return. 

GENIUS  goes  to  screen  and  all  pass  out,  leaving  GENIUS, 
GIRL  and  SPIRIT  standing. 

GENIUS.  Daughter  of  America,  study  well  these  famous 
women.  I,  who  have  seen  kings  and  kingdoms  rise  and  fall, 
have  watched  the  steady  advance  of  the  race  to  which  you 
belong.  So  long  as  she  preserves  the  simple  faith  of  her 
forefathers,  so  long  as  she  worships  the  God  who  guided 
them  across  unknown  seas  to  build  homes,  so  long  as  she 
glorifies  labor,  not  wealth,  so  long  will  this  country  con- 
tinue foremost  among  nations.  Study  well  the  past.  (GiRL 
sinks  into  chair  where  she  sat  to  read  the  history.') 

SPIRIT.  The  Genius  of  History  has  told  you  to  study 
these  women  of  the  past.  I  say  look  to  the  present.  We 
live  today  two  lives  where  those  lived  but  one.  The  past  is 
of  use  only  to  help  advance  the  future.  "He  who  has  no 
pride  in  his  ancestors  will  have  none  in  his  descendants." 
Go  forward,  thankful  that  to  you  it  is  given  to  belong  to  a 
nation  which  exalts,  not  degrades,  its  women,  which  is 
reaching  a  civilization  undreamed  of  in  the  past.  Go  for- 
ward. Build  for  the  future.  (GENIUS  and  SPIRIT  pass  out 
at  same  time  turning  the  screen  around.} 

GIRL  (rouses  and  starts  to  find  herself  alone.}  Why,  I 
must  have  been  dreaming.  (Stands.}  How  real  it  all 


THE   WOMEN    WHO    DID.  27 

seemed!  I  must  have  seen  them.  After  all  (turning  to 
audience)  do  you  suppose  there  was  always  a  man  in  the 
case? 

CURTAIN. 


HEADSTRONG  JOAN 

By   LILLIAN    MORTIMER 
Price,  35  Cents 

Comedy-drama  in  3  acts;  5  men,  5  women.  Time,  2*4  hours. 
Scene:  1  exterior.  Into  Jim  Day's  peaceful  home  breezes  his 
idolized  son  Jack,  as  spoiled  and  extravagant  a  lad  as  ever  dis- 
appointed a  fond  father  by  failing  in  college  and  contracting  a 
clandestine  marriage.  Into  the  tranquil  household  he  brings  dis- 
sension, suspicion,  and  endless  trouble  to  his  good-hearted  foster 
brother,  who  is  made  the  goat  of  his  petty  dishonesty.  In  this 
achievement  he  is  aided  by  his  selfish  young  bride,  who  does  her 
best  to  drive  out  the  foster  brother  in  order  to  secure  the  family 
fortune  for  her  husband  and  herself.  At  first  she  is  successful, 
but  when  she  begins  to  turn  the  Day  home  upside  down  with  her 
arrogant  ways,  Jack's  conscience  reasserts  itself,  he  confesses 
his  dishonesty,  and  the  presuming  bride  is  exposed  as  a  masquerad- 
ing upstart,  who  is  more  to  be  pitied  than  blamed,  however. 
With  the  young  couple  reduced  to  a  proper  state  of  humility,  the 
foster  brother  regains  his  old  place  in  the  affections  of  Jim  Day 
and  of  the  girl  he  loves.  Cast  includes:  a  shrewd  and  lively  old 
grandmother;  a  peppery  Irish  housekeeper;  a  pretty  ingenue  school 
teacher;  a  comical  Jewish  peddler,  his  dutiful  son  Ikie,  and  Ikie's 
kid  sweetheart. 


SLIPPIN' 

By    EDWARD    FINNEGAN 
Price,  25  Cents 

Play  in  1  act;  1  man,  1  woman.  Time,  20  minutes.  A  clever 
crook  plans  to  betray  his  weak  young  pal  to  the  police  and  win 
the  boy's  sweetheart.  Great  is  his  remorse  on  suddenly  discovering 
that  the  pal  is  his  long-lost  brother.  His  scheme  fails  through 
his  own  lucky  blunder.  A  gripping  drama,  rich  in  comedy  lines. 


T.  S.  DENISON  &  COMPANY,  Publishers 

623  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  CHICAGO 


HE'S  MY  PAL 

By   LILLIAN    MORTIMER 
Price,  35  Cents 

Comedy-drama  in  3  acts;  6  men,  6  women.  Time,  2%  hours. 
Scene:  1  interior.  Would  you  give  up  the  girl  you  loved  to  your 
best  pal,  if  it  was  for  his  happiness  and  hers,  particularly  if  you 
owed  your  life  to  him?  This  is  Wally  Allen's  hard  dilemma,  which 
threatens  to  wreck  the  peace  of  Ma  Averill's  happy  family  of 
boarders.  It  makes  three  other  persons  beside  Wally  thoroughly 
unhappy:  his  pretty  little  fiance'e,  who  does  not  love  him;  his  be- 
loved pal,  who  has  sacrificed  an  arm  for  him;  and  the  quiet  little 
ugly-duckling-swan  girl  who  is  secretly  in  love  with  him.  With 
her  aid,  Wally,  who  is  a  game  sport,  practices  a  kindly  deception 
upon  his  pal,  with  a  view  to  breaking  his  engagement  and  leaving 
the  lovers  free  to  marry.  His  self-sacrifice  eventually  brings  hap- 
piness to  all.  A  delectable  play,  overflowing  with  lively  humor  and 
pathos.  The  minor  roles  include:  a  henpecked  husband,  who  learns 
a  new  trick  in  handling  a  domineering  wife;  two  cocky  young 
salesmen;  a  breezy  and  slangy  beauty  specialist;  a  comical  darky 
cook;  and  the  motherly  boarding-house  keeper,  guardian  angel  of 
lovers. 


THE  NEW  FUR  COAT 

By   ALLEN    GRANT    EVANS 
Price,  25  Cents 

Comedy  in  1  act;  1  man,  1  woman.  Time,  15  minutes.  Mrs. 
Morley  has  a  perfect  formula  for  working  hubby  for  a  new  fur 
coat:  Give  him.  a  good  dinner;  then  drive  him  to  the  verge  of 
homicide  by  a  stream  of  prattle;  and  weep  when  he  gives  way 
to  exasperation.  Tears  are  trumps.  A  good-natured  satire  on 
married  life. 


T.  S.  DENISON  £  COMPANY,  Publishers 

623  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  CHICAGO 


MADAM  THE  BOSS 

By    ROBERT    J.    SHERMAN 
Price,  35  Cents 

Comedy-drama  in  3  acts;  5  men,  3  women.  Time,  2%  hours. 
Scenes:  2  interiors.  If  you  were  private  secretary  to  a  crooked 
political  boss,  and  he  secured  your  election  as  mayor,  as  you 
later  found,  for  his  own  private  ends,  would  you  do  his  bidding, 
or  would  you  defy  him  and  serve  the  city  honestly?  This  is  the 
dilemma  that  confronts  Gilda  Wakefield,  and  she  meets  it  by 
sending  the  politician  about  his  business  and  becoming  her  own 
boss.  Thenceforward,  their  meetings  are  about  as  affectionate 
as  an  encounter  between  two  strange  bull-dogs.  Throughout  this 
free-for-all  fracas,  the  girl  mayor  has  the  backing  of  her  ex- 
nance,  a  young  attorney,  with  whom  she  has  quarreled  because 
he  has  refused  to  be  the  boss'  rubber  stamp.  Other  valuable 
allies  are  Sammy,  the  foxy  publicity  man,  and  his  ladylove,  the 
slangy,  gumchewing  stenographer,  who,  in  a  mix-up  with  the  boss, 
is  equal  to  tackling  the  latter's  snobbish  wife  single-handed.  A 
breezy  comedy,  full  of  brisk  action,  striking  situations,  and  hilari- 
ously funny  lines.  From  Gilda  herself,  down  to  her  bibulous  father 
and  Robbins,  the  boss'  tough  henchman,  every  role  is  strong, 
though  well  within  the  range  of  amateurs. 


JED'S  LOVE  AFFAIR 

By    ALLEN    GRANT    EVANS 
Price,  25  Cents 

Comedy  in  1  act;  1  man,  5  women.  Time,  25  minutes.  Jed's 
thrifty  mother  objects  to  his  sweetheart  and  proposes  three  other 
girls  more  to  her  own  taste.  Jed  scorns  them  all  and  argues  so 
eloquently  for  the  one  perfect  girl  that  he  wins  over  his  mother. 
An  attractive  novelty,  easy  to  present,  as  the  four  girls  appear 
only  in  pantomime,  with  no  lines  to  speak. 


T.  S.  DENISON  &  COMPANY,  Publishers 

623  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  CHICAGO 


MY  DIXIE  ROSE 

By    MABEL    KEIGHTLEY    BENNETT 
Price,  35  Cents 

Comedy-drama  in  3  acts;  5  men,  3  women.  Time,  2%  hours. 
Scene:  1  interior.  Charming,  lovable,  mischievous  Dixie  Rose! 
Life  to  her  seems  to  be  all  daring  horseback  rides  and  innocent 
flirtations  and  rollicking  jokes,  until  trouble  crosses  her  path  in 
the  form  of  a  persistent  elderly  suitor.  This  sinister  person  de- 
mands that  she  marry  him  to  save  her  beloved  father,  a  southern 
colonel  of  the  old  school,  from  financial  ruin  and  disgrace,  and 
her  lover  from  indictment  for  an  offense  that  later  turns  out  to  be. 
"framed."  The  lover,  however,  arrives  in  time  to  prevent  the 
hated  marriage  and  forces  the  plotter  to  reveal  the  great  secret 
of  Dixie's  identity,  namely,  that  she  is  the  Colonel's  granddaughter 
and  also  heiress  to  a  large  fortune.  A  stirring  drama,  colored  by 
the  alluring  romance  of  the  old  South  and  the  vigorous  enterprise 
of  the  new.  Cast  includes:  the  peppery  but  soft-hearted  old 
colonel;  Dixie's  jealous  but  devoted  lover;  his  haughty  father;  a 
hard,  selfish  beauty  of  the  adventuress  type;  and  a  youthful  en- 
gaged couple,  who  are  perpetually  quarreling. 


MOTHER'S  OLD  HOME 

By  ORRELLE    FIDLAR  CORNELIUS 
Price,  25  Cents 

Comedy  in  1  act;  1  man,  6  women.  Time,  35  minutes.  Impelled 
by  malicious  village  gossip,  a  sweet  old-fashioned  mother  plans  to 
give  up  her  home  and  live  with  her  married  daughter.  But  finding 
herself  unwelcome  and  out  of  sympathy  with  the  younger  genera- 
tion, she  remains  in  the  old  home  among  her  beloved  neighbors. 
Delightful  compound  of  tears  and  laughter. 


T.  S.  DENISON  &  COMPANY,  Publishers 

623  S.  Wabash  Ave..  CHICAGO 


A  PRINCE  OF  ADVENTURE 

By    LINDSEY    BARBEE 
Price,  35  Cents 

Romantic  drama  in  3  acts  and  prologue;  7  men,  8  women. 
Time,  2*4  hours.  Scene:  1  interior.  Back  to  the  little  kingdom 
of  Phantasia  comes  the  dashing,  adventurous  half  brother  of  the 
king,  after  years  of  exile.  Educated  in  the  United  States,  the 
young  prince  is  strongly  American  in  feeling,  and  proves  it  by 
falling  deeply  in  love  with  an  attractive  American  girl,  a  guest  in 
the  home  of  the  American  consul.  The  prince's  affairs  are  thrown 
into  sudden  .confusion  by  the  mysterious  murder  of  his  kingly 
half  brother,  for  which  crime  he  is  arrested  and  imprisoned.  The 
mystery  is  complicated  by  the  presence  of  a  malignant  duke,  and 
by  the  incriminating  appearance  of  an  ancient  dagger  near  the 
murdered  king.  As  a  result  of  some  skillful  detective  work,  the 
innocence  of  the  accused  prince  is  triumphantly  established,  and 
the  malignant  duke  in  turn  finds  himself  behind  prison  bars.  An 
epic  of  rose-colored  romance,  heightened  by  three  absorbing  love 
affairs,  with  the  rebellion  of  a  charming  runaway  princess  to  sup- 
ply a  dash  of  humor.  Cast  includes:  an  Irish  secret  service  man; 
a  polished  American  clubman;  a  beautiful  society  matron;  a  sen- 
timental kid  sister;  a  typical  American  college  youth;  a  haughty 
noblewoman  and  a  romantically  devoted  maid. 


A  RURAL  BELLE 

By  ERNEST  J.  SHARPSTEEN 
Price,  25  Cents 

Comedy  in  1  act;  1  man,  1  woman.  Time,  20  minutes,  or  longer 
with  specialties.  A  moving  picture  star,  finding  herself  refused 
a  Sis  Hopkins  role  by  a  skeptical  movie  director,  presents  herself 
to  him  disguised  as  a  gawky  country  girl.  After  a  hilariously 
funny  tryout,  she  wins  the  coveted  role.  A  laughing  hit. 


T.  S.  DENISON  &  COMPANY,  Publishers 

623  S.  Wabash  Ave.,  CHICAGO 


University  of  California 

SOUTHERN  REGIONAL  LIBRARY  FACILITY 

305  De  Neve  Drive  -  Parking  Lot  17  •  Box  951388 

LOS  ANGELES,  CALIFORNIA  90095-1388 

Return  this  material  to  the  library  from  which  it  was  borrowed. 


APR  0  7  2003 

SRLF 
IARTER  LOAN 

JUL  I  4 


sons 

;lmas 


r  CHRISTMAS 
HE  OLD 
!i  TOWN 


U3O 


Show  with 

Denison's  Songs 


Denison's  popular  song  list  has  been  built  up  with  a 
view  to  having  every  number  adapted  to  use  in  musical 
comedies,  minstrels,  revues,  and  vaudeville  sketches. 
Most  of  them  arc  the  work  of  professional  song  writers 
and  have  hem  prepared  especially  for  the  Denison  Song 
programs.  The  music  is  rich  in  catchy,  up-to-date  melo- 
dies; and  the  lyrics  have  the  wide  popular  appeal  ami 
the  snappy  qualities  that  make  a  I)e?iison  song  the  hit 
of  the  show.  While  the  list  includes  a  good  selection 
of  ballads,  comic  songs  predominate,  offering  the  widest 
possible  variety  for  all  types  of  musical  shows.  Each 
number  is  published  in  regular  sheet  music  form,  for 
piano  and  voice. 

Send  for  Complete  Descriptive  Catalogue 


T.S.DENISOISI 


